DIAGNOSIS OF STRONGYLOIDES STERCORALIS BY STOOL MICROSCOPY: SCREENING TOOL IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis an intestinal nematode, causes the disease Strongyloidiasis, which is defined by acute manifes- tation, autoinfection and hyperinfection leading to persistent and fatal disseminated infections in immunocompro- mised hosts. Effective treatment is dependent on early detection of larvae in stool. Diagnosis of Strongyloides ster- coralis by stool microscopy has been done in two known cases of PLWH and one case of chronic alcoholic presented at SMIMER hospital. Early diagnosis is a real challenge; therefore high index of suspicion is required to get im- munocompromised patients with high eosinophil count screened for Strongyloides stercoralis by stool microscopic examination. It is associated with high mortality rate, hence definitive and an early diagnosis is required to start ap- propriate therapy.